OK, First: I think it needs to be said that Les and I have made a hobby out of busting each others you-know-whats on a daily basis, and this is nothing new nor some kind of war. Fact of the matter is the little guy always thinks he's right but I always KNOW I am
Now, on to Lester's latest rant. Yes, I did blow up a Viper trans in 1996 doing a burnout. I also owned about 4 Vipers since then and have driven one on the track as recently as 8 months ago when a guy wanted my opinion on how his car was on the track. A Viper is a good car, and was THE car to have for many years. However, the technology has been surpassed and there are better chassis designs out there now, wether it be a Ford GT or the new Z06, etc.
I will take a heads up race with any stock 450 HP Viper against a stock 550HP Ford GT any day. We both need R compound tires and the ability to put in race brake pads so we don't kill ourselves. Remember, Top Gear raced a STOCK Ford GT on street tires against a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale on a road course and the GT won. The 360 CS is a purpose built road race car with sticky tires, etc. It is my honest opinion that a 1998 Viper couldn't run with either car, but, I am sure Les will fire up his blowtorch and post his opinions soon. LOL
As far as the Group 6 wreck at Road America last year, YES, indeed that was my car in the wreck and I was racing that weekend. However, the driver that was in the car during the wreck was my co-driver, Grant Maiman. Grant is one of the best drivers in recent years to come from the USA. He drove in the Red Bull F1 series in Europe last year, won the Skip Barber national series,is a Skip Barber racing school instructor, and is generally regarded as a stellar driver. He had my car stopped on the track when it got hit. It would have happened to anybody, even a pro like Les. And for the record, it was a 17 car pile up, not 28 as Les states. Let's just say this is a sore subject around here as that weekend should not have happened and it was an expensive exercise for guys like me that are still rebuilding their cars.
As far as my driving abilities, I have never claimed to be a great driver. I have won SCCA Championships in my Formula Ford racing days, and I used to race two vintage cars, a group 5 57 Corvette and a Group 6 Trans Am Dodge Dart (Jerry Titus car). I have been a driving instructor for different clubs since 1990, and do get a lot of track time. I have never raced in the Viper Challenge, but, I think it can't be any more competitive than Vintage Trans Am in Group 6...and I know Vipers are easier to drive than a T/A car on bias ply tires!!!
As far as minor mods on a car, I think any sort of computer reflash, cat back exhaust, or pulley change is relatively minor? Cams, head work, headers, turbos, opening the engine, etc. constitue as major? Any force fed car built in the last 25 years has been prone to be modified for more boost out of the box, in my opinion. Look at Buick Grand Nationals. How many guys didn't tweak the waste gate on those things, or drop the catalytic converter, etc.??
Just my opinions. So, grab the popcorn, Les will be awake soon! LOL
Colin